Very Best Fantasy

Mar22

I’m frequently asked for a list of favorite novels and big influences on my own writing. So I drew up this list. In order to prevent my head exploding I kept it exclusively to adult fantasy. I have plenty more favorites in other genres, but this will keep anyone busy for a while — particularly considering many are the first in a series.

NOTW is a beautiful book. Of all the Fantasy I’ve read in the last 15 or so years, this is perhaps second best after The Song of Ice and Fire. But that’s not to say that they have much in common, other than both being good Fantasy. NOTW is focused and relies on more traditional Fantasy tropes. How focused can a 700 page novel be? Not very, but it is good, and it concentrates on a small number of characters and a single (albiet meandering) storyline.

Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series has gotten a lot of attention in recent years, but I’m curious to know what you think of his Codex Alera? It’s set in a fantasy world with a Roman Empire-style civilisation of humans who all seem to have connections with natural spirits that give them superhuman powers. The hero, in a twist, is an underdog who freakishly doesn’t have any powers and has to rely solely on his wits to survive.

What? No Stephen R. Donaldson & his Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant The Unbeliever?!?

http://all-things-andy-gavin.com Andy Gavin

Those books were good, and certainly classic, but I did find them a little slow. Great ideas though.

http://www.facebook.com/jsritz1 Jane Sizemore Ritz

I love your choice in books. I’ve just now have started to read books I really want to readas I am know out of work. I was a teacher for many years.Again love your choices!

http://all-things-andy-gavin.com Andy Gavin

Thanks!

Miguel Torres

A little late to the party, I know, but I just recently discovered you as an author. So I wanted to ask you, have you read The Malazan Book of the Fallen series? What are your thoughts on it? I’m on the third book right now and having a blast btw

http://all-things-andy-gavin.com Andy Gavin

I read 1.5 books. I half liked them. But they were diffuse in character (world building was great). I like character